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Cyclin-dependent kinase 8 regulates mitotic commitment in fission yeast

Zsolt Szilagyi1, Gabor Banyai, Marcela Davila Lopez

  • 1Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. zsolt.szilagyi@medkem.gu.se

Molecular and Cellular Biology
|March 28, 2012
PubMed

Insights

The Mediator complex subunit Cdk8 controls cell cycle progression by phosphorylating the Fkh2 transcription factor. This phosphorylation prevents Fkh2 degradation, ensuring proper timing of mitotic entry in fission yeast.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Temporal regulation of transcription is crucial for cell growth and division.
  • The Mediator complex is a key eukaryotic transcription regulator.
  • Control of mitotic entry is essential for accurate cell cycle progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the Mediator complex in controlling cell division.
  • To elucidate the regulatory pathway involving Mediator subunit Cdk8 and transcription factor Fkh2.
  • To understand how transcription factor stability impacts mitotic entry timing.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated Mediator subunit Cdk8's role in fission yeast transcription.
  • Analyzed Cdk8-mediated phosphorylation of transcription factor Fkh2.
  • Assessed the impact of phosphorylation on Fkh2 stability and mitotic entry.

Main Results:

  • Mediator subunit Cdk8 periodically phosphorylates Fkh2 during mitosis.
  • Phosphorylation by Cdk8 stabilizes Fkh2 against proteasomal degradation.
  • Cdk8-Fkh2 interaction is critical for timely mitotic entry and mitotic transcription.

Conclusions:

  • A novel pathway links the Mediator complex to mitotic transcription control.
  • Cdk8-dependent Fkh2 regulation governs the timing of mitotic entry.
  • This pathway ensures cell cycle-dependent gene activation and division.

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